Scotland in Aug

[BanyanTree]

I know there are some threads on here re Scotland and I have read them. However, I would appreciate some tips for our particular needs.

2 adults and 2 DC (boys age 9 and 13). We will be going for 7-10 nights, with our car. We are active and like outdoor pursuits and sports. We love castles, history, scenery, great food and shopping (that's me). We don't need to go to any place to entertain the DC as they are happy doing the things listed above. We like nice accommodation and would love to include staying in a castle! I think we also need to include things like trying to find Nessy for my youngest.

Any suggestions on places to visit and stay and things to do?

Thanks

Have a look at Harvest Moon Treehouses. www.harvestmoonholidays.com/our-treehouses/. There are lots of footpaths and a beach on the doorstep! Plus fishing, nearby pony trekking and wake boarding. They let children and adults get hands on with the farming and animals. 28 miles from Edinburgh, so a good day trip or two.

I am not sure how far up Scotland your looking for, but little abodes is a nice little place. www.lodges4u.com/flora-mega-pod-hire-in-clachtoll/l.15 I also echo Ricekrispie22 and Harvest Moon Treehouses.

I know its an obvious one but Ayr is a nice place, it has a huge haven site so would have loads to do but it has mixed reviews. Every time we have been there it seemed to of rained. East Coast of Scotland is nice, we have been to most places Arbroath was nice x

Don't forget a day trip to Edinburgh as in August the Edinburgh Fringe festival is on! Park at the Ingliston park and ride and get the tram in for a cool adventure with the kids (buy a £8.50 family day ticket for unlimited travel for all 4 of you on buses and trams) and mum can go shopping on Princes street while dad takes kids around to see all the street performers and fairground rides. Meet up a bit later on for a show and some street stall food and maybe even go check out the amazing National Museum (not to be mistaken for the national gallery) which is very interactive and interesting for both kids and adults plus there's a lovely cafe for mum and dad to chill and relax. The Glasgow science museum would also be the perfect age for your kids to keep them interested and the BBC studios are right beside it which you can book a tour in advance for although it can be a bit on the pricey side. In terms of keeping it adventurous Blair Atholl is where you want to go - lots of walks, places to go mountain climbing, plus river canyoning, gorge walking, segways and lots of other alternative activities including a big castle. There's also treetop walks I believe although I think agewise it would only suit your eldest. Loch Rannoch is also beautiful and has lots of water sports activities available at low rental prices for the day. Of course the islands are also beautiful but you might find yourself bored after 7-8 days - maybe instead opt to get the ferry to somewhere like Isle of Arran for the day which has a lovely beach and interactive soap shop (stop to try some of the cheese samples next door as well!). If you decide to head up to Isle of Skye which is quite popular for holidaymakers, try see if there are any groupons for the wigwams - kids love it and are super exciting to stay in.

I'd do a day in Edinburgh (unless you hate crowds - will be festival time) A good alternative (and better castle, if castle the main draw) would be Stirling. Then head up to Inverness (will be 4 hr drive North). Couple of days on east coast, beaches, black Isle, Dornoch Castle. Then drive west and a few very beatiful days back via Lochcarron, Plockton, Eilean Donan castle etc.

That is a fair bit of driving though.

Scottish schools start to go back from mid August - camp sites etc will start to quiet down a bit second part of month.

Blair Atholl is a good call too.

Re finding Nessie - you could do, but Loch Ness is a bit bleak vs other places you could choose (IMO). Get the kids in to Highland Cow & Haggis spotting instead :-)

The European championships are in Glasgow-we are watching gymnastics and cycling.

Scone Palace is great fun as well as historic, lots to see inside and the staff are great with kids as well as adults.

They can sit on a replica of the stone the kings of scotland were crowned on.
There is a huge maze and pinetum to walk around (there is the oldest Douglas Fir tree in the uk) and they can feed the peacocks.

Or there is the Scottish Crannog Centre at Loch Tay.
www.crannog.co.uk/ You get to see what it was like to live in one and to try out the basic crafts needed to survive and trade like using a lathe to carve wood, make fire etc. (and the adults can too )

And of course Edinburgh is fab in August with all the street performers, theatre, music etc. You can pick and chose what to go see from the hundreds of venues. Walk through the old town, do a bus tour etc.

Stirling Castle is good too but the cafe is appaling, too expensive and tries too hard to be 'modern'. Get something in town before or after.

Travel to Arran and spend 2 nights there then hopscotch (ferry) to Kintyre and stay at Point Sands, the boys will love it! Great beach, fishing etc, you can just let them go, the opposite island of Gigha has a fab restaurant and day trips to Islay, & Bute are easy too. Inveraray Castle on the way home..all sorted! PM me for more info x

Take plenty of midge repellent

Aberdeen would get you a deal closer to Loch Ness. Crathes Castle (and Slains), whisky, outdoor stuff, food, shopping ...

Rothiemurcus near aviemore in the heart of the cairngorms, inverness for shopping and nessie trips, tulloch castle nearby with accommodation, Edinburgh castle, plenty of insect repellent, the midges are out in full force in August.